10 Chapter 10: Role and Responsibility

"What did he say? Was that English?" the Korean guy asked after hearing Chiko's words.

"I thought Filipinos have fluent English, what happened to this one? And what's with Philippines number one? Isn't it supposed to be Malaysia number one?" added the annoyed Malaysian guy.

"It's Korea number one!"

"Malaysia number one!"

"Báichī (idiots)", mumbled the Chinese girl behind them.

Seeing that the trio of foreign players ignored him, Chiko just smiled and started doing an awkward minor stretching on the spot.

"Now, now, how about I bring you guys to a nearby restaurant with really good roasted chicken. Ever heard of Mang Inasal?" To calm the bickering foreign players, Mr. U-Bear immediately offered while promoting local restaurants.

"Oh, Mang Inasal? I like. That charcoal roasted chicken with unlimited rice and you eat with your hands right? I like! I like!" The Malaysian quickly agreed with a drooling mouth.

"Although I can only drop you there because I still have to come back quick to attend on the try-outs." Mr. U-Bear quickly added apologetically.

"Yeah yeah. We are hungry so you can just lead us there sir." the Korean guy quickly added after seeing the restaurant's promotional ad on his phone.

Mr. U-Bear finally led the three secret Star-Pointer players away while the last team to do the tryout, which is Chiko's team, was preparing for their turn. On their way towards the court, the latest team that had just finished their try-out was walking away with exciting strides and wide smiles. Chiko and the crew could not help but hear their loud voices as well.

"We guys are really lucky, although they beat us to a pulp, Mr. Rino was gracious enough to give us a chance to become official players as long as we do our best to help the team!" one of the leading players said towards his team.

"But as what I understand based on the way he explained, Rino wanted us to become like bench players while doing the errand boy's job. Don't you guys find it a little bit insulting?" the other player with them responded with an insulted look on his face.

"Who cares!? As long as we get to enjoy the scholarship program and I am sure as long as we show them our potential, time would come that they would allow us to play on official matches. I will be even more than happy to lick their shoes if they want! For hell, I care!"

"Hey what happened to your pride as a Madridejos national highschool sepak takraw MVP?"

"It's Rino - the so-called Dhalsim of Sepak Takraw, we are talking about here. Why should I not bow to them? What could a highschool sepak takraw champion do against a regional champion team?"

"If there is someone you should bow and grovel to in terms of sepak takraw, then it should be Santi Arthrit of Malaysia. I heard he crushed Rino's team as well."

"Well, that is to be expected. It is Santi we are talking about. But do you know what really matters at the moment? We got the scholarship! And we are the only team to acquire it so far among all teams that did the tryouts!"

"How about the last team behind us?"

"You mean those lost circus freaks? A Janitor and a farm kid wanting to do try out?! Bahahaha! I doubt they even know the basics!"

"Hey did you see the bald fatty? I could only imagine the mini-earthquakes he would make when spiking and landing his face on the floor! hahahaha!"

Hearing the leaving players' insult, Yang wanted to chase after them to at least talk sense over them and made them apologize, but Mark's huge hands swiftly stopped him and shook his head.

Yang quickly looked at Chiko asking for support only to see the latter smile brightly before speaking,

"There is no need to cause more ruckus, it is our turn now. Let's focus on the opportunity ahead and don't let those senseless arguments hold us back."

Seeing that his team did not mind those insults, Yang quickly adjusted his mind with a couple of deep breaths before finally calming down.

The three of them have finally reached the court area and were prepared to be tested; however, they were surprised to find out that Rino and his team did not even bother to look at them at all and just continued to rest.

A couple of minutes later, they gave their team a mocking glance before continuing to rest as if the try out has already ended.

Chiko and his team stood like awkward statues in the middle of the court, but Rino's team never even paid them a word of attention. Not being able to hold it anymore, Chiko was the first one to call on them.

"This... Uhm, we are here to do the tryouts, sir."

Hearing Chiko's loud call, Rino finally stood up and walked towards the awkward trio. He had the most condescending gaze as usual while scanning the new team at the court. Finally, he stopped his gaze in Yang's direction and smiled mockingly.

"I thought these two other clowns are your new cleaning mates. Turn's out you guys are here to do the try-out? Are you guys even serious?"

"Why? Can't we do the tryouts as well?" Yang quickly rebutted.

There was small steam of smoke at Mark's nose as he tried his best to suppress his anger before speaking,

"We are serious. And I believe we have what it takes to become part of this school's sepak takraw team."

"Baahahaha!"

"That was a nice joke!"

Kurt and John, the two other players with Rino, finally followed while laughing hardly at Mark's confident remark. They all have their bags on their side and was actually prepared to leave.

"Did you boys took a look at yourselves in a mirror before coming here?" Rino suddenly spoke after laughing for a while. He walked like an army trainer, his hands folded on his back before panning his eyes toward the trio. Then he looked back at Chiko and suddenly said,

"First, we have the lucky balut vendor bastard who never even heard of a bank check! Stupid, ignorant, and BOBO!"

Then his gaze moved to the janitor-clothed Yang,

"Then we have the Chi-noy janitor with pale-white skin and skinny body. I am afraid my single spike might send you straight to your graveyard. We do not want that to happen right? I am a responsible guy after all."

And finally, Rino's gaze landed at the big fluffy guy, Mark Gantes.

"And you mister needs a diet. A five-year diet! We do not want our gym floor to break too soon you know. The school invested a lot in improving the school gym before Santi arrived and we certainly have to do our best to keep this place in good condition, don't you agree?"

Then, Rino and his team turned away towards the exit to leave. Suddenly, Rino remembered something and looked back towards Yang who was silently angry.

"Oh yeah, Ferdy Yang - the janitor man, don't forget to clean this whole place spotless alright? You can ask those two for help, they could use a good exercise and learn personal hygiene from you as well."

Yang and Gantes were burning with anger and were shaking in hate. With all insults thrown fully at their face, they were prepared to get to jail just to crush Rino's face. Their eyes were flaming in fury, while their fist was tight and ready to explode on Rino's arrogant look.

They were about to rush forward when Chiko swiftly grabbed both of their arms and spoke loudly with full confidence.

"I think there is a misunderstanding here. We are not actually here to do the tryout. We are here to kick-your-butts out."

Yang and Gantes finally snapped out of their anger and looked at Chiko with surprise. There was overwhelming confidence at the latter's voice. On the other side, Rino and his team halted their steps and turned around to face Chiko.

Chiko smiled even more confidently and added, "Simply speaking, we are here to remove you, lousy and boastful players, as official sepak takraw representative of this school. You are giving this beautiful sport a bad name with your disgusting attitudes."

Rino and his team immediately lost their mocking smiles. Rino moved forward while looking at Chiko with a condescending gaze. He laughed softly before dropping his bag. He opened it and took out a sepak takraw ball before moving towards the service circle inside the sepak takraw court.

Kurt and John who were following behind him got Rino's signal, they immediately positioned themselves inside the court. Rino looked back at his companion and nodded with a sinister smile. There was a glimpse of a devil's smirk and they both knew very well what that smile means.

They are preparing to utterly crush Chiko's team and teach them a lesson once and for all - even if it means injuring them for good.

"It seems you have become too cocky after accidentally scoring once against Santi Arthrit. Don't think I will go easy on you. I wonder if you have what it takes to even stand a single set against us." Rino coldly said while squizzing the hard yet flexible sepak takraw ball as if it was a soft tiny stress ball.

Seeing that Rino has taken his bait, Chiko also confidently smiled, he licked his lips and declared,

"I want your Captain's position, the scholarship, and the allowance included of course. This school's sepak takraw team needs an overall cleaning. We are here to brush your dirty butts out!"

"Enough talk, you can be the Philippine president if you win against me! I am Rino "Dhalsim" Dimagiba! The best tekong of Bantayan island! A regional meet champion, a CVIRAA meet champion and a sepak takraw veteran! Let's see you talk again after this one set!

Mark and Yang were still in a daze before they finally snapped and realized that they are actually about to face Rino's full wrath. Seeing that their opponents are in their respective positions, Yang knew that he needs to position himself as well.

He hurriedly jogged closer to Chiko and asked,

"Hey, you did a good job getting our only chance. It seems you really have a plan ahead and I am really impressed. So what is my position? Tekong? Killer or Feeder?"

As if realizing something, Chiko faced Yang with a dead expression. Massive sweat was dropping hard on his cheeks before asking,

"Uhm, what's a Tekong, Killer, and Feeder? It is actually my first time playing this game on a team so..yeah. hahaha!"

Speechless for a while, Yang looked at Chiko as if looking at the dumbest zombie in the world.

"We are dead." Yang's ambitions dream as a sepak takraw athlete instantly collapsed.

"Uhm, you guys. Seriously though, what is a Peeder and Tekong-kong?" Mark also came and asked with an even dumber expression.